Methods and apparatus for a discrete vapor-dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A vapor-dispensing or other environment-altering apparatus is configured to integrate with a receptacle in a discreet manner. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an environment-altering apparatus is configured to mimic an electrical receptacle having an outlet pattern. The environment-altering apparatus has a front surface which includes an outlet pattern substantially corresponding to the outlet pattern of the electrical receptacle, and a plug configured to interface with the electrical receptacle. A device configured to modify one or more attributes of the environment is interposed between the front surface and plug pattern. These attributes include, for example, aromatic vapor density, insecticide vapor density, ambient light intensity, ionic air content, ultrasonic frequency intensity, and the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/222,079 entitled “Methods and Apparatus for aDiscrete Vapor-Dispensing Device” filed Aug. 16, 2002 which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates, generally, to vapor-dispensing devicesand, in particular, to a vapor-dispensing device which integrates with areceptacle in a discrete manner.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] It is often convenient to use an available receptacle, forexample, a conventional household electrical outlet, as a source ofelectrical power for systems configured to perform some type ofenvironment-altering task. Known environment-altering systems include,for example, plug-in air-fresheners, vapor-dispensing devices, plug-inultrasonic pest control devices, night-lights, ionizers, and the like.

[0004] Due to the location and accessibility of conventional walloutlets, and the size and shape of known vapor-dispensing devices, it iscommon for such devices to be relatively conspicuous when plugged into awall outlet. In the case of household plug-in air-fresheners, forexample, this may give rise to unfortunate conclusions in the minds ofvisitors with respect to the overall quality of air in the home.

[0005] In some instances it may therefore be desirable to enhance theextent to which vapor-dispensing devices integrate or blend in withtheir environment. The level of discreetness is generally related to adevice's overall geometry and the manner in which the device contactsthe wall and/or receptacle to which it is connected.

[0006] In addition to this aesthetic discreetness, it would also beadvantageous to provided an environment-altering apparatus with enhancedfunctional discreetness. That is, there is a need for vapor-dispensingdevices which do not eliminate, reduce, or otherwise alter a user'saccess to the functional features of the receptacle. In the case ofplug-in air-fresheners, for example, it would be advantageous to providean air-freshener wherein access to all or most of the receptacle'soutlets are substantially maintained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In general, the present invention provides a vapor-dispensingdevice or other environment-altering apparatus configured to integratewith its environment in a discreet manner. The apparatus may accomplishthis discreetness in a number of ways—for example, by blending in withone or more components of the environment (e.g., a wall or othersurface), by covering or otherwise occluding all or a portion of thereceptacle, and/or by appearing to be something other than anenvironment-altering device.

[0008] One way the environment-altering device may blend in with itsenvironment is by including a housing configured such that across-section orthogonal to and through the perimeter of the housingdefines a blending contour from the front surface to the wall outsidethe perimeter of the electrical receptacle.

[0009] Another way the device may accomplish blending with itsenvironment is by exhibiting a particular color, texture, and/orgeometry which matches or is otherwise thematically consistent with theenvironment in which the device is to be placed.

[0010] Yet another way the environment-altering device may blend in withits environment is by making contact with a wall or other surface in thevicinity of the receptacle. In one embodiment, for example, the deviceincludes a housing having at least two antipodal points on the perimeterof the housing that make contact with the wall outside the perimeter ofthe receptacle faceplate when the device is connected to the receptacle.

[0011] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, avapor-dispensing device blends into its environment by exhibiting a lowprofile normalized in terms of an inter-outlet dimension or one or moreother suitable dimensions.

[0012] The environment-altering device may also be configured toentirely or partially cover the electrical receptacle in a number ofdifferent ways. In accordance with a one embodiment of the presentinvention, for example, the device may include a housing whose perimetersubstantially encompasses the perimeter of a electrical receptacle'sfaceplate when the vapor-dispensing device is connected to theelectrical receptacle.

[0013] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, avapor-dispensing device covers the receptacle by including a housingwhose aspect ratio is substantially similar to the aspect ratio of areceptacle faceplate, and whose center is substantially coincident withthe center of the faceplate.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,discreetness is achieved by configuring the environment-altering devicesuch that it appears to be something other than an environment-alteringdevice.

[0015] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, forexample, an environment-altering apparatus is configured to mimic anelectrical receptacle having an outlet pattern. The environment-alteringapparatus has a front surface which includes an outlet patternsubstantially corresponding to the outlet pattern of the electricalreceptacle, and a plug configured to interface with the electricalreceptacle. A device configured to modify one or more attributes of theenvironment is interposed between the front surface and plug pattern.These attributes include, for example, aromatic vapor density,insecticide vapor density, ambient light intensity, ionic air content,ultrasonic frequency intensity, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The subject invention will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like numeralsdenote like elements, and:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of a system providing a context inwhich the present invention may be practiced;

[0018]FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a vapor-dispensing deviceand receptacle in accordance with the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of a vapor-dispensing deviceand receptacle in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0020]FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of a vapor-dispensing deviceand receptacle in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of an exemplary receptacle havinga number of outlets;

[0022]FIG. 6 depicts a conventional dual-outlet receptacle,

[0023]FIG. 7 depicts a conventional quad-outlet receptacle;

[0024]FIG. 8 illustrates a variety of exemplary receptacle and outletconfigurations;

[0025]FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an exemplary vapor dispensingdevice;

[0026]FIG. 10 depicts various cross-section diagrams defining blendingcontours;

[0027]FIG. 11 depicts various configurations of vapor-dispensing devicegeometries with respect to a receptacle;

[0028]FIG. 12 depicts exemplary vapor-dispensing device geometries;

[0029]FIG. 13 depicts exemplary vapor-dispensing device symmetries;

[0030]FIG. 14 is an isometric view showing exemplary vapor-dispensingdevice geometries; and

[0031] FIGS. 15A-15C depict various refill geometries in accordance withone aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Systems and methods in accordance with the present inventiongenerally provide a vapor-dispensing device or otherenvironment-altering apparatus configured to integrate with itsenvironment in a discreet manner, e.g., by blending in with one or morecomponents of the environment, by covering or otherwise occluding all ora portion of the receptacle, and/or by appearing to be something otherthan an environment-altering device.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, an environmental-altering apparatus 100 inaccordance with the present invention generally interfaces with areceptacle 120 within an environment 130. Environmental-alteringapparatus 100 comprises any suitable component or combination ofcomponents configured to alter environment 130 in some manner, e.g., byaltering its aromatic vapor density, dispensing an insecticide,providing a light source, ionizing the ambient air, and/or providing asource of ultrasonic sound. In this regard, the phrase “vapor-dispensingdevice” may, without loss of generality, be used herein to refer to theenvironment-altering apparatus. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat the present invention is not so limited.

[0034] Environment 130 corresponds to any defined space, whether open orenclosed by one or more surfaces, walls, ceilings, floors, or othersolid or fictitious boundaries, which receives the evaporated material.For example, environment 130 may correspond to a residential room(bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, etc.), commercial space (factory floor,office cubicles, etc.), automotive enclosure (car, truck,recreational-vehicle), airline compartment, or any other space in whichit is desirable to deliver a vapor.

[0035] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, anenvironment-altering apparatus is configured to give the appearance thatit is something other than an environment-altering apparatus. Forexample, the environment-altering apparatus may be configured to mimican electrical receptacle having an outlet pattern. In this embodiment,the environment-altering apparatus has a front surface which includes anoutlet pattern substantially corresponding to the outlet pattern of thereceptacle, and a plug configured to interface with the electricalreceptacle.

[0036] For example, referring now to FIG. 2, a vapor dispensing device100 interfaces with a receptacle 120 through one or more plugs (or otherinterface structures) 204 corresponding to an outlet pattern 206. Vapordispensing device 100 has a front surface 204 (which may or may not beplanar) that includes an outlet pattern 202 which substantiallycorresponds to outlet pattern 206 of receptacle 120. Thus, vapordispensing device 100 is generally configured to removeably attach toreceptacle 120.

[0037] A device 210 configured to modify one or more attributes of theenvironment is suitably interposed between (and/or to the side of) thefront surface 204 and plug pattern 204. Environmental attributesmodified by device 210 include, for example, aromatic vapor density,insecticide vapor density, ambient light intensity, ionic air content,ultrasonic frequency intensity, and the like. In an embodiment whereindevice 210 corresponds to a fragrance delivery device, it may alsoinclude one or more components (e.g., wicks, capillary tubes, and thelike) which provide a means for at transporting volatizable materialfrom one location to another (e.g., from a reservoir to a evaporationpad or eminator), and/or one or more components (eminator pads,secondary wicks, and the like) which provide a surface or surfaces fromwhich the transported material undergoes mass transfer or evaporation toenvironment 120.

[0038] In an embodiment wherein receptacle 120 corresponds to anelectrical power outlet, it is advantageous to utilize this power sourceto provide any electrical functionality required by the fragrancedelivery device. For example, fragrance delivery device may include oneor more eminators or heating elements designed to control the rate atwhich the volatizable material evaporates into the environment. In sucha case, delivery device 210 may include various terminals, wires,conductive traces, plugs, and other such components facilitatinginterface and power delivery to receptacle 120. In a particularlypreferred embodiment, for example, delivery device 210 includes aresistive heating element that is thermally coupled to an eminator pador wick which communicates with a volatizable material.

[0039] Although the vapor dispensing device 100 of FIG. 2 is illustratedas generally rectilinear in cross-section, it may in fact include anynumber of discrete or integrated housings having any arbitrary shape.Furthermore, in accordance with this embodiment, it is not necessary forvapor dispensing device 100 to exhibit a geometry which is similar insize or shape to that of receptacle 120 or any face-plates provided inconjunction with receptacle 120. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a discreetvapor dispensing device 100 may actually be smaller than receptacle 120(e.g., on the order of the size of plug pattern 204). Similarly, asshown in FIG. 4, vapor-dispensing device may be asymmetrical withrespect to receptacle 120 and/or any plug pattern 206 provided inreceptacle 120. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the lower boundary offront face 204 may extend below (or above) receptacle 120.

[0040]FIG. 5 shows a general configuration for receptacle 120 whichincludes an outer boundary and/or faceplate 502 along with one or moreoutlets 504. Outlets 504 may exhibit any suitable shape, and may includeany suitable combination of male, female, or other connection types. Forexample, referring now to FIG. 6, receptacle 120 may consist of aconventional dual-outlet power receptacle including a pair of two-prongoutlets 504 and a faceplate 502. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7,receptacle 120 may consist of a conventional quad-outlet powerreceptacle including four two-prong outlets 504 and a faceplate 502.FIG. 8 presents a matrix of additional standard receptacle designs withwhich the present invention may be employed. Note also that the presentinvention may be used in connection with ground-fault interrupt (GFI)electrical outlets.

[0041] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limitedto electrical receptacles. Indeed, receptacle 120 may comprise anysuitable structure configured to provide electricity, data, or any otherpower and/or information source to vapor-dispensing device 100 through asuitable interface. For example, suitable receptacles include RJ-11 andRJ-45 jacks used in connection with high-speed data transfer (and analogtelephone communication), co-axial connectors used in connection withelectrical and optical cable networks, and any other receptacle designnow known or developed in the future.

[0042] Notwithstanding the nature of receptacle 120—i.e., whether and towhat extent receptacle 120 is configured to supply electricalcurrent—delivery device 210 may be passive, active, or selectablyswitched between active and passive modes. The term “passive” in thiscontext, as applied to delivery devices, refers to those devices whichsubstantially depend upon ambient conditions to deliver a fragrance orotherwise give rise to a modification of the environment. Such ambientconditions include, for example, ambient thermal conditions (e.g., wallsurface temperature and air temperature) and ambient air flow, (e.g.,air flow resulting from free convection as well as the movement (if any)of fans, individuals, and other entities within the environment). Theterm “active” in this context refers to devices that are not passive,e.g., devices which employ integrated fans, heating elements, and othersuch devices.

[0043] In the event that delivery device 210 is an active device, anypower source required by the device may be intrinsic to receptacle 120,e.g., the 120 V source of a standard wall outlet, or extrinsic toreceptacle 120, e.g., supplied by a battery, solar cell, or other suchdevice incorporated into or otherwise associated with delivery device210. Alternatively, power may be supplied by a combination of intrinsicand extrinsic sources and/or may be incorporated into a refillcomponent, described in further detail below.

[0044] In order to achieve the goal of appearing to be something otherthan a vapor-dispensing device, the device may be designed to mimic notonly an electrical receptacle, but any number of other objects whichmight typically appear in the target environment. For example, thevapor-dispensing device might be configured to mimic a wall switch, amulti-outlet power strip, a night-light, or any other suitable object.

[0045] As mentioned above, discreetness of the environment-alteringdevice may also be achieved by configuring the device such that itblends in with its environment. This blending may be accomplished, forexample, by including a housing configured such that a cross-sectionorthogonal to and through the perimeter of the housing defines ablending contour from the front surface to the wall outside theperimeter of the electrical receptacle.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 9, for example, a receptacle 120 includes afaceplate 502, which may or may not be rectangular as illustrated.Faceplate 502 generally fits against or flush with a wall 904. A housing904 has a perimeter 902 (which need not be rectangular, and need notcorrespond to the shape of faceplate 502) that is characterized by across-section ‘A’ as shown, wherein the cross-section defines ablending-contour with respect to wall 904, thus providing addeddiscreetness. More particularly, referring to FIG. 9 in connection withthe six example cross-sections illustrated in FIG. 10, a cross-section1000 near the perimeter 902 of housing 905 forms a blending-contourbetween the front 1002 and wall 904. In general, blending contour 1000forms a continuous (but not necessarily smooth or differentiable) curveextending from the front 1002 of housing 905 to a terminus 1004 near orin contact with wall 904. It will be appreciated that the exemplaryshapes shown in FIG. 10 do not exhaust the range of blending-contourshapes that may be used in accordance with the present invention.

[0047] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, avapor-dispensing device blends in with its environment by including ahousing wherein at least two antipodal points on the perimeter of thehousing make contact with the wall outside the perimeter of thereceptacle faceplate when the device is connected to the receptacle.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 13, housing perimeter 1102 is configured suchthat at least two points on opposite sides of housing perimeter 1102make contact with a wall 904 outside of faceplate perimeter 502. Forexample, housing perimeter 1102 may make contact with wall 904 at one ormore of the following pairs of points: points 1302 and 1304; points 1306and 1308; and points 1310 and 1312. The word “point” is used in thesense of a location, and need not correspond to a small circular contactpoint; indeed, any arbitrary contact region (or closely situatedregions) may be considered a “point” as that term is used in connectionwith this embodiment.

[0049] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, avapor-dispensing device has low-profile dimensions. More particularly,referring now to FIG. 14, an exemplary vapor-dispensing device 100includes a housing 1402 having a front surface 1404 and a back surface1406 separated by a thickness t, wherein back surface 1406 has a minoraxis dimension x and a major axis dimension y. A first device outlet1410 and a second device outlet 1412 are provided on the front surface1404 of housing 1402. The device outlets (1410 and 1412) are separatedby an inter-outlet distance d; wherein: x/d is between approximately 2.0and 2.5, preferably about 2.125, y/d is between approximately 3.0 and3.5, preferably about 3.25, and t/d is between approximately 0.5 and1.0, preferably about 0.625. In accordance with yet a further aspect ofthe present invention, the thickness t is less than approximately 20% ofthe major axis dimension y.

[0050] In order to achieve the goal of blending in with the environment,any number of other attributes of the device may be designed to match orbe thematically consistent with one or more attributes of theenvironment. For example, the device's color, texture, and/or geometrymay be selected to better blend in with the wall, furniture, or othercomponents of the environment.

[0051] Discreetness of the environment-altering device may also beachieved by configuring the device such that it covers all or a portionof the receptacle. In accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention, for example, a vapor-dispensing device substantially coversthe receptacle by including a housing whose perimeter substantiallyencompasses the perimeter of a electrical receptacle's faceplate whenthe vapor-dispensing device is connected to the electrical receptacle.

[0052] More particularly, referring to the four exemplary configurationsshown in FIG. 11, a faceplate perimeter 502 (or, alternatively,receptacle perimeter) is substantially encompassed by the housingperimeter 1102. That is, housing perimeter 1102 may fully encompassfaceplate perimeter 502 such that all points on perimeter 502 fallwithin the area defined by housing perimeter 1102 (as shown in FIGS.11(a) and 11(b)) or so that a portion of faceplate perimeter 502 lies atthe border of (or indeed, slightly outside of ) housing perimeter 1102(as shown in FIGS. 11(b) and 11(c)). While the illustrated faceplatesand housings shown in FIG. 11 are generally rectangular and generallycorrespond to each other, the faceplates and housings may have anyvariety of shapes, and it is not necessary for the shapes to generallycorrespond to each other. For example, faceplate perimeter 502 may berectangular while housing perimeter 1102 is circular or elliptical. Inaccordance with a further aspect of the present invention, avapor-dispensing device includes a housing whose aspect ratio issubstantially similar to the aspect ratio of a receptacle faceplate, andwhose center is substantially coincident with the center of thefaceplate.

[0053] Delivery device 210 suitably includes one or more removeablyattached refill components. That is, referring to FIGS. 15A-15C, it maybe advantageous for delivery device 210 to include components that areintegral to the delivery device itself as well as one or more refillcomponents 1502 (or simply “refills”) that can be replaced by the user.In the event delivery device 210 is an air freshener device, forexample, a depleted refill component 1502 may removed from device 210and replaced by a new refill containing fragrant oil, wax, gel, or thelike. The refill suitably includes a refill body and a volatizablematerial provided therein.

[0054] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a refillcomponent is provided which allows vapor-dispensing device to mimic anelectrical receptacle. For example, a refill component comprising arefill body having a volatizable material provided therein may beconfigured to be inserted behind the front surface of the device suchthat it is substantially concealed by the front surface. In accordancewith one aspect of the present invention, the refill has a perimeterthat is encompassed by the perimeter of the housing.

[0055] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, therefill is configured such that it does not significantly obstruct thereceptacle's outlet pattern 504. In one embodiment, for example, this isaccomplished by providing a refill component 1502 that at leastpartially surrounds one or more outlets on the receptacle (variouslyshown in FIGS. 15A-15C). In the event that the delivery device is usedin connection with a standard electrical receptacle, it is desirable forrefill 1502 to encompass two or more sides of the outlet pattern (FIG.15A). To the extent that it is advantageous to supply the greatestpossible volume of volatizable material, the refill may be configured asa rectangular ring that completely surrounds the outlet pattern 504(FIG. 15B). Alternatively, the refill may be configured in a ‘U’ shapeto allow refill 1502 to be slideably removed from the device (FIG. 15C).

[0056] Referring to FIG. 12, faceplate perimeter 502 is characterized bya center (or centroid) 1202 and height and length dimensions h and 1respectively. Similarly, housing perimeter 1102 is characterized by acenter (or centroid) 1204 and height and length dimensions H and Lrespectively. Faceplate perimeter 502 has an aspect ratio defined asH/L, and housing perimeter 1102 has an aspect ratio defined as h/l. Inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention, center 1202substantially coincides with center 1204. In accordance with a furtheraspect of the present invention, the aspect ratio of faceplate perimeter502 is substantially equal to the aspect ratio of housing perimeter1102. In one embodiment, for example, the faceplate aspect ratio issubstantially equal to the aspect ratio of a standard dual-outletfaceplate, e.g., between approximately 1.3 and 1.7, preferably about1.5. It will appreciated that the aspect ratio may be define in anyconvenient matter depending upon the shape of the respective faceplateand housing.

[0057] Although the invention has been described herein in conjunctionwith the appended drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the scope of the invention is not so limited. Modifications in theselection, design, and arrangement of the various components and stepsdiscussed herein may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refill component for use with avapor-dispensing device configured to connect to an electricalreceptacle, wherein the vapor-dispensing device has a housing having afront surface and a back surface separated by a thickness t, wherein theback surface has a minor axis dimension x and a major axis dimension y,wherein a first device outlet and a second device outlet is provided onthe front surface of the housing, and wherein the first and seconddevice outlets are separated by an inter-outlet distance d, and whereina plug extends from the back surface of the housing for connecting tothe electrical receptacle, said refill component comprising: a refillbody having a thickness less than t, wherein x/d is betweenapproximately 2.0 and 2.5; y/d is between approximately 3.0 and 3.5; t/dis between approximately 0.5 and 1.0, said refill body removeablyconnected to said vapor-dispensing device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said refill component at least partially surrounds said firstand second outlets.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said refill isgenerally “U”-shaped.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the refill isconfigured to slideably attach to the environment-altering apparatus. 5.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said refill is a rectangular ring. 6.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said environment-altering apparatus ispassive.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said environment-alteringapparatus is active.
 8. An environment-altering apparatus configured tomimic an electrical receptacle, said electrical receptacle having afirst outlet pattern, said apparatus comprising: a front surface havinga second outlet pattern substantially corresponding to the first outletpattern; a plug pattern substantially corresponding to the first outletpattern; and a device interposed between said front surface and saidplug pattern, said device configured to modify an attribute of theenvironment, wherein said attribute is selected from the groupconsisting of aromatic vapor density, insecticide vapor density, ambientlight intensity, ionic air content, and ultrasonic frequency intensity;and a refill component removeably attached to said environment-alteringapparatus between said front surface and said plug pattern, said refillcomponent including a refill body and a volatizable material providedtherein.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said refill component atleast partially surrounds the outlet pattern.
 10. The apparatus of claim9, wherein said refill is generally “U”-shaped.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the refill is configured to slideably attach to theenvironment-altering apparatus.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinsaid refill is a rectangular ring.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinsaid environment-altering apparatus is passive.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said environment-altering apparatus is active.